How to Use a Manual Lawn Edger

A well-manicured lawn has clean, crisp edges around flowerbeds and along the walkway and driveway. To achieve this detailed look, it's best to use an edging-specific tool. While some models are motor-driven, you can buy manual models at a fraction of the cost. Commonly used around existing beds or to create a new bed, a manual edger is similar to a shovel, but the blade is rounded like a half-moon. A manual rotary edger has a roller and a spiked cutting wheel attached to a long handle, and works best along your walkway or driveway.

Hammer, wood stakes, string (optional)

Garden hose

Gloves

Straight-edge shovel

Mark the area in your yard where you want to create a new bed and want a crisp edge separating it from the grass. If you're simply freshening up an existing edge, skip to Step 2. To mark a straight edge, hammer a stake at each end, and tie a string between the two to use as an edging guide. If you plan to have curved edges, use a garden hose to indicate the arcs.

Put on work gloves. Grab your edger, and stand at one end of the existing or planned edge. Set the rounded edge of the tool on the turf near the existing edge, or in alignment with the guide string or hose if you're creating a new bed. Tilt the handle back about 45 degrees and place your foot on the top, turned edge.

Push down with your foot and insert the rounded edge into the turf 2 to 3 inches. Rock the edger side to side and up and back to ensure a good cut and loosen the turf. Pull the tool out of the ground; move 4 or 5 inches to your left, and repeat. Continue to the other end of the bed.

Return to the start of the edge. Stand on the inside of the bed or the opposite side of the string or hose and repeat the process. Remove the loosened turf with a straight-edge shovel. Add fresh mulch along the edge of an existing bed, or continue planting your new bed.

Take a flat-edge shovel and slide it under any grass or vegetation that may be growing over the edge onto your walkway or driveway. This helps you locate the edge and stay on track as you edge.

Put on work gloves. Stand at one end of the walkway or driveway. Hold the rotary edger firmly with one hand near the end and the other halfway down the handle. Position and line it up so the wheels are on the walkway or driveway and the cutting spikes are between the turf and the hard surface.

Push down to drive the cutting spikes into the ground. With constant downward force, roll the edger forward and backward 10 to 12 inches to cut through the vegetation. You may need to do this several times before you have a clean edge.

Move forward to the next section, and repeat. Continue along the edge of the walkway or driveway until you get to the end. Remove the vegetation with your shovel. Hose down the hard surface to wash off any clippings or dirt.

The edging process is easier if you dampen the ground beforehand.

Manual edging can be hard on your back. To help avoid back discomfort, wear a back support.